Council members Vince Benevente and Bruce Bogert began their new two year terms after being sworn in  by Town Attorney Paul Gougelman at the November 18, 2003 Council meeting.  Councilman Benevente was elected Deputy Mayor.  During the meeting Mayor Trott appointed the following individuals to represent the Town:

Space Coast League of Cities – Deputy Mayor Benevente with Mayor Trott as alternate

Space Coast League of Cities Intergovernmental Committee – Deputy Mayor Benevente with Mayor Trott as alternate

Brevard County Water Supply Board – Councilman McCabe

South Beaches Coalition – Councilman Cook with Councilman McCabe as alternate

CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM
BUDGET APPROVED

Improvements totaling $1.02 million are included in the Five-Year Capital Improvement Program (CIP) budget for fiscal years 2005 through 2009 adopted by Council on October 21.  Projects outlined for these years include continued debt service payments for the 1999 fire truck as well as construction of Town Hall facilities.  Additionally, money is included for annual street resurfacing and drainage improvements, as well as improvements to Nance Park, Orlando Park, and Melbourne Causeway pathway.

Current year projects totaling $440,150 include Sunrise Park improvements  with a covered observation deck, a walking path, and exercise stations; Nance Park improvements with a sidewalk, boardwalk deck replacement, and limited play items; street drainage improvements that include a drainage swale on the  south side of the 100 block of Sixth Avenue; a  parking lot on Town property on the south side of the 100 block of Sixth Avenue; and construction of mast arm signals at the intersection of US-192 and Riverside Drive.

The Public Works department has started replacing the boardwalk deck between the emergency vehicle access ramp  and Nance Park restrooms.  Materials for this 174 foot section were paid for through the park enterprise fund.  State grant funds have been requested to replace approximately 500 feet of boardwalk deck north of the Nance Park restrooms.

RECENT COUNCIL ACTION

 October 21, 2003 Meeting

November 18, 2003 Meeting

MARY AND WALTER HAYWARD-Indialantic Town Founders
(see complete article by Karen Raley on Town website)

Mary Leubuscher Hayward was a professional actress and singer when she met her husband-to-be, Walter Sumner Hayward, a noted author and historian.  They were married in 1944 and came south to see Walter’s riverfront house in Indialantic which he purchased in the 1930’s.  

By the early 1950’s, the community of Indialantic was experiencing problems—poor street maintenance, inadequate fire protection, lack of building and zoning restrictions, and a developer’s threat to the public ownership of the beach.  The Haywards were among a group of concerned citizens who organized the Indialantic Civic Association, the committee that guided the incorporation of the Town of Indialantic.  Walter served as Recorder for the group, was elected to the first Town Council, and later became President of the Council and Mayor.  Mary became secretary of the ICA, chaired the committee that took the first census of the Town, and continued to serve on various town boards for over 40 years.  

The Haywards  became year-round residents after the 1960’s. As a result of Walter’s interest in horticulture, they created a botanical paradise on their property.  Nicknamed “the Jungle,” their grounds are the result of over 50 years of patient care particularly in association with Merritt Island nurseryman, Bemis Gordon, and croton expert, Frank Brown. Inside the home, Walter’s talent as carpenter is evident, too.

Mary was a founder of the South Brevard League of Women Voters and served as its first president. She was a charter member and president of the Melbourne High School PTA.  She and Walter were early supporters and organizers of the Indian River Players and the Surfside Players.  While both the Haywards acted in productions, Mary also directed many plays and served on the Surfside Board of Directors. Another of their contributions was their role in organizing the first concert series in the Melbourne area.  In the 1970’s, they assisted in the formation of the BACAM, now the Brevard Museum of Art and Science. 

POLICE BEAT

 Unfortunately, there is a certain element of society that prefers to support their holiday season at the expense of others. With the Christmas season upon us, I would again like to pass on some recommendations about personal safety that I originally wrote for the Town newsletter several years ago. 

Please keep your car doors locked both while driving and parked and don’t roll your windows down for strangers. Be particularly wary when stopped at traffic lights and when entering and exiting your vehicle in a parking lot. If you are struck from behind in what appears to be a minor rear-end accident, pull over in a well lit, populated area to investigate. While shopping, try to keep all packages and gifts out of sight, preferably locked in the trunk. Try to enter and exit stores (particularly malls) around other groups of shoppers. We tend to see an increase in burglaries this time of year so please remain diligent in your efforts to keep your homes and vehicles secure. If installed, set your alarm, even if you are only leaving for a short time. Successful burglaries to homes equipped with a good alarm system, that is kept armed, are very rare.  Well-positioned outdoor lighting can also be a successful deterrent. 

Don’t forget that the Police Department will conduct an on-site home security survey for any resident of the Town. If you would like more information, contact Officer Tenpenny at 723-7788. There is no cost for this service. 

Have a happy and safe holiday season and a great new year!

Chief Troy W. Morris 

RECYCLING NEWS

As of October, you can recycle more plastic bottles in your recycling bin.  All plastic bottles (bottles are  containers that have an opening smaller than the base) will be collected for recycling.  Remember, other kinds of plastic items will not be collected.

 Plastic bottles are recycled and are used to make new products such as carpeting, garden furniture and accessories and a variety of other products.  For more information, contact the Solid Waste Hotline at 633-2043.

 FIRE FACTS

 Have you ever eaten deep-fried turkey?  Delicious, isn’t it?  Deep fried turkey has been around for years.  It’s even bragged about on cooking shows on the Food Network and other cable channels.  But there is a down side to all of this “turkey talk.”

 Turkey fryers can be extremely dangerous if not used properly.  According to Underwriters Laboratories’ (UL) safety experts, concerns are running high about backyard chefs sacrificing safety for good taste.  Recently there have been an increasing number of fires related to these turkey fryers.  UL has performed tests on these fryers and found that the “great-tasting birds” are not worth the risk.  “As a result of these tests, UL has decided not to certify any turkey fryers with our trusted UL mark,” said John Drengenberg, UL consumer affairs manager.

Town Hall will be closed on the following dates:

December 24 & 25 – Christmas
            January 1 – New Year’s Day

The traditional Holiday Tree Lighting will take place Thursday, December 4^th at 7:00 pm in Nance Park.  This annual observance will include a short program, a visit from Santa and refreshments for the kids.

The Heritage Committee begins a series of “Town Talks” on items of local interest.  Jenifer Marx will present the first discussion on Jonathan Dickinson on Sunday, January 11^th at 2:00 pm in the Council Chambers.

The annual Art Festival will be held January 17^th & 18^th in Nance Park.  For more information, contact American Craft Endeavors at (813) 962-0388.

 Mayor Dan Trott and Public Works Director Ron Cassedy plant one of three Norfolk Island pines  in  Carey Park.  Two trees were donated by a local bridge club and one by Town employees in memory of former Mayor and Councilman Gus Carey.

Luminaria sales begin December 1 and continue through December 24.  The kits will be available at Town Hall during regular business hours through the 23^rd and at the Fire Station on the 24^th.  All proceeds from this project, sponsored by the Parks, Recreation, Beautification Committee, are used for beautification projects throughout the Town.